Another first, a hardy Geranium with flowers in three colors appearing over an unusually long season. Opening a creamy pink, the flowers soon develop a broad blue zone around a pink ring shading off to a white center, all prettily whiskered with dark veins. The backs of the flowers are boldly veined in deep pink. It's a truly delightful combination on plants with a mounding, spreading habit. Geraniums are ideal as a ground cover and billowing out of containers. 'Sweet Heidy' is another splendid introduction from leading Dutch breeder Marco van Noort. PP 19,533

This is the true Geranium, not to be confused with the annual Pelargonium one sees everywhere in summer. Perennial Geraniums are lovely plants that grow in full sun or partial shade (required in the South and the warmer areas of the West) and need soil with good drainage.

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the Shipping Details box for each item. Please refer to the Shipping Details box to determine the earliest shipping time. Unless you specify otherwise, fertilizers, tools, and other non-plant items are shipped with your plants or bulbs. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.

beautiful plant

A viewer
from Haslett

This is a beautiful plant. Decide where you want it, then live with that decision forever. I tried to move 2 mature plants today, digging up lots of dirt around their roots and watering copiously. They were dead within a couple hours. Now I've ruined my two front flowerbeds. The plant is sold out for who knows how long. No annuals I can think of will survive the rabbits. I wrecked my front yard. Don't do the same.

Geranium is a variable genus of hardy perennials that offers up profusely blooming plants for many situations. The lobed foliage can be as interesting as the flowers, which come in vibrant as well as more subdued shades of true blue, lavender, pinks and white. These plants bear little resemblance to the tender container plants known as Scented Geraniums, Zonal Geraniums, and Martha Washington Geraniums (these belong to the same family, but a different genus, Pelargonium).

Light/Watering: Light shade to full sun in the North and part shade in the South will allow these plants to reach peak performance. Most adapt well to short periods of dry conditions, and all respond to regular watering. Geranium sanguineum and its varieties tolerate drought, especially in cooler climates.

Fertilizer/Soil and pH: Geraniums thrive in average, well-drained soils that are slightly acid to neutral and will benefit from a light application of balanced, granular fertilizer in early spring. Short, dry periods are tolerated by most.

Pests/Diseases: No serious pests or diseases occur in this hardy group.

Reflowering: With the exception of Bigroot Geranium (G. macrorrhizum) and Bloody Cranesbill (G. sanguineum) varieties, Geraniums have a tendency to sprawl after bloom. Cut plants back hard, to 2-3 inches above soil level, after the first wave of bloom. They will respond with a fresh crop of foliage that looks attractive through the season, and possible sporadic reblooming depending on variety.

Dividing/Transplanting: Cranesbill rarely needs dividing; it is possible with some plants to separate out divisions and replant in spring or early fall. Transplant with care in early spring.

End-of-Season Care: Cut back in autumn after several killing frosts, if desired.

Calendar of Care -- Geranium

Early Spring: Apply a light application of balanced or slow-release fertilizer or side-dress with compost and organic amendments when new growth appears. Supplement nitrogen during periods of prolonged rain to counter natural leaching. Water well if it is unseasonably dry as most prefer an evenly moist soil. Transplant now, if needed, and in some varieties, small pieces with roots may be removed from the edges of the plant for propagation.

Mid-Spring: Taller or sprawling varieties benefit by support with brushy twigs or interwoven, slender stakes.

Late Spring: Water if extended dry periods occur.

Summer: Groom plants by removing yellow or dead leaves. If plants are overtaking their allotted space, cut back to three inches; the new foliage will look lovely for the rest of the season.

Fall: Cut foliage back to soil level. After the ground is frozen, mulch to protect plants from heaving out of the soil in winter.

White Flower Farm is a family-owned mail-order nursery located in northwestern Connecticut. Since 1950 we have been providing a wide range of perennials, annuals, bulbs, shrubs, vines, amaryllis, gardening tools & supplies, and gifts for gardeners. We also offer gardening advice and how-to information to gardeners throughout the United States. We invite you to browse our online catalogs, and to join our email list for special offers and useful gardening tips. White Flower Farm&REG; is a registered trademark of White Flower Farm, Inc. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.